Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-11
A Letter From California.

at Santa Monica for the summer. We
three lone women, Mrs Ernest Fon-
taine and two children, and her friend,
Miss Carrie Walton, of Ventura, Cal,
and myself.
Having made up our minds to 90 to
the seaside for few weeks, we hurried
around to get all things ready, and the
18th of July, 1887, found us pleasantly
located in our new home upon the beach.
Upon leaving the train, we proceeded
to find tent number SO. After passing
an innumerable number Of tents, camps,
shanties, and awnings, we looked ahead
little and our eyes rested upon love-
ly little tent about one hundred feet
from the water, and upon its side, stand
ing out distinctly, the number SO was
placed. 1t was with feeling of delight
that we crossed the threshold of this,
our new abode. The tent consists of
three rooms separated from each other
by drapings of dark blue which fall in
folds to the floor Our kitchen is fur
nished like all the modern ones are, SO
l.
most useful room. The bedrooms are
neatly and lastly furnished.
When people come to Santa Monica,
they come with the intention Of having
good lazy time, of enjoying the sea
breeze and the water. In the city of
Los Angeles, all a person hears is the
cry of Real Estate, so in order to have
rest and comfort, we fly from that busy,
active city to the cooling breezes of the
seaside.
The mornings are extremely lovely so
it is impossible to lie and rest. No mat
ter how early you get up there is always
someone on the beach before. As the
morning advances and we take a stroll
up the beach, we meet all classes of peo-
pie; ladies protected by enormous sun
hats, lounge around upon the sand or
stroll upon the beach accompanied by
their husbands, brothers, lovers or lady
friends The very atmosphere leads
one to pleasure.
Bathing and eating are the principal
sources Of amusement. We three are
supplied with bathing suits of dark blue
flannel trimmed with white braid.
From half past ten to twelve the water
is black with people in bathing. you
sit on the beach and look up at the bath
houses, you will see some pretty conf
cal looking persons emerging from their
rooms to enjoy the benefits of the salt
water They come tripping down to
the water feeling, no doubt, very brave,
but as they get nearer and nearer to the
waters edge, their steps become slower
and slower, and when the waves come
dashing up around their feet, shrek aft
er shrek pierces the stiffness of the
morning air. | have been in few
times. You can imagine how perfectly
charming [ look in my short bathing
costume. When | made my debut in
the water, | was received with open
arms; the breakers rushed at me with
great speed and the first thing l knew
| was under water. When | recovered
my footing, salt water poured from my
eyes and ears, but what went into my
mouth, the quantity being about one
quart, stayed. The next time ] ven
tured In | did better. You can have no
conceivable idea of the funny sights
that meet your eyes during the time of
bathing. In order to thoroughly enjoy
it one must witness it, So this fall when
you come out, we will talk about coming
here next summer.
You there at home know nothing of
the beauties of the sea moss. 1t is very
plentiful and quite a curiosity to all who
come here. The time to gather it is
when the tide is low. During the night
or sometimes through the day, the tide
is high, and then it is that the kelp and
sea moss is washed ashore. Our sea
moss hunts are gagged according to the
tides Some times when | start out
with my box | wander away up the
beach but get comparatively nothing,
then again ny box is full. 1t was to be
Tow tide yesterday morning, at three
O'Clock, so a party of ladies, myself in
cluded, made up our minds to 90 and
gather sea moss from the beds, but
when the time came we were all sleep
ing the sleep of the just with no thought
of sea moss. | have obtained many
nice specimens of the moss and for the
last few mornings my time has been ia
ken up pressing them. You will see by
some of the samples have sent home
what kind we get.
As each day goes by [ think to myself
only a little time now before we have to
pack up our things and start for the city
again So far [ have enjoyed myself to
the uttermost, and dread to look for
ward to the time when | shall have to
return to Los Angeles. This is without
doubt pleasant place to spend the
summer, the days are just warm enough
and the evenings delightful. After tea
all 90 out upon the sand or upon their
porches and there drink in the beauties